A post-apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex, which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher… MoreA post-apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex, which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher shop. It's a particularly popular place to live, thanks to the butcher's uncanny ability to find excellent cuts of meat despite the horrible living conditions outside. The newest building superintendent, a former circus clown, thinks he has found an ideal living situation. All that changes, however, when he discovers the true source of the butcher's meat, and that he may be the next main course. This dark tale is played out in a brilliantly designed, glorious surreal alternate world reminiscent of the works of director Terry Gilliam, who co-presented the film's American release. Like Gilliam, co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro hail from an animation background, and have a fondness for extravagant visuals, absurdist plot twists, and a sense of humor that combines sharp satire with broad slapstick and gross-out imagery. This mixture may displease the weak of stomach, but those attuned to the film's sensibility will be delighted by the obvious technical virtuosity and wicked sense of humor.

With its molelike inhabitants, its sprawling war between flesh-eaters and lentil-men, its achingly sweet love story and surrealist blend of dusty antiquities and 21st-century gizmos, Delicatessen is indescribably wild.

A former clown lives in a tenement that features several quirky characters including a cannibalistic butcher.
Super Reviewer Alice Shen contends that… MoreA former clown lives in a tenement that features several quirky characters including a cannibalistic butcher.
Super Reviewer Alice Shen contends that Jean-Pierre Jeunet had one good idea, <i>Amelie</i>. I disagree only because I love <i>A Very Long Engagement</i> and liked <i>Micmacs</i>, but her view that his work descends into a convoluted mess when he is unable to seamlessly entwine his characters and plotlines is well-taken in the case of <i>Delicatessen</i>. The underground army that plays a seminal role in the film's conclusion isn't introduced until the second act, and even then, I thought they were just passing through, on their way to another movie. The quirky "sex symphony" and the quirkier frog man weren't interesting or amusing; they were just Jeunet trying too hard. I also think that Dominque Pinon, winner of the Most Interesting-Looking Face award, is more suitable to supporting roles, where he can provide the perfect balance to the film's straight man, as he does in <i>A Very Long Engagement</i>.
Overall, this is not Jeunet's best work, but it's better than most films about cannibalism.

Mike S

France in a not-too-distant, post-apocalyptic future. A grim and filthy existence, where the shortage of food have turned some into desperate acts of… MoreFrance in a not-too-distant, post-apocalyptic future. A grim and filthy existence, where the shortage of food have turned some into desperate acts of cannibalism. Not exactly the sort of things we associate this otherwise-beautiful country with. In the visual sense, this film is both creative and repugnant simultaneously. The brown-and-yellow color filter really invades the eyes, and brings your thoughts to the dirty restrooms found commonly in local bars. I really enjoyed the ingenuity of the camera shots though. As we know from his other work, such as <i>Amelie from Montmartre</i>, Jean-Pierre Jeunet has an indesputable knack for thinking outside the box. However, due to its unappealing settings and nauseating colors, this unfortunately boils down to my least favourite film by him. On the whole it's still good though and certainly worth the time invested.

Thomas Bowler

Absolutely amazing. Equals parts comedy, tragedy, romance and thriller, this is one of the best foreign language you'll ever watch. Full review later.

Greg S

A butcher runs a boarding house filled with bizarre residents in a near future plagued by shortages, but always seems to have enough meat to barter... Offbeat… MoreA butcher runs a boarding house filled with bizarre residents in a near future plagued by shortages, but always seems to have enough meat to barter... Offbeat and often fascinating futuristic black comedy, built around some amazing set pieces (a rhythmic symphony the boarders collaborate on without knowing it, the Rube Goldberg contraptions a schizophrenic woman invents to try to commit suicide).

Emily Armstrong

This is exactly like Brazil. That is to say, the movies look really really similar, in thier cluttered sets, quirky characters and post-apocalyptic yet casual… MoreThis is exactly like Brazil. That is to say, the movies look really really similar, in thier cluttered sets, quirky characters and post-apocalyptic yet casual world. I liked it as much as I liked Brazil. It was fun, kinda cool, but not really my cup of tea. It kind of bothered me the way it couldn't quite pick what genre it was supposed to be. I think it wanted to be a comedy.

Melvin White

"This is a job for the Australian!"
This is no where near as good as Jeunets masterpiece Amelie; but it is still a very quirky and entertaining film.… More"This is a job for the Australian!"
This is no where near as good as Jeunets masterpiece Amelie; but it is still a very quirky and entertaining film. Although the movie does have some scenes that are extremely funny; on the whole it isn't that funny of a movie. There is a sex scene that is if not the funniest, then one of the funniest parts of the movie. Overall, Delicatessen is definitely worth a watch, especially if you like Jeunets other movies.

A surrealistic and visually superb black comedy. Original and "delightful".
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EightThirty .

05/01/2011 (DVD)
<b>Quite good!</b> An unusual setting with unusual characters which made this an unusually good movie. It is a flick with… More05/01/2011 (DVD)
<b>Quite good!</b> An unusual setting with unusual characters which made this an unusually good movie. It is a flick with deception as it seemed to be a friendly comedy, but it's really smothered with darkness!
Strangely, there's romance and it's the cutest kind that lightens up the rather darkly theme, very enjoyable to sit through. It's funny which was weird for me cause its just so heavy with evilness, I was so concerned and yet I couldn't stop laughing. <b>Its so playful and yet so evil,</b> what a stir.
<i>Definitely a strange one for me but a very manageable sitting.</i> I must say that I liked this a little more than "The City of Lost Children" but anyway it's probably not one for everybody, but it was a good watch for me. I do hope to find more like this, I'm enjoying the seriously weird and strange films that exist, sweet.

Alice Shen

This film is kinda the nail in the coffin of my assertion that Jean-Pierre Jeunet had one great idea (<i>Amelie</i>), and everything else is just a… MoreThis film is kinda the nail in the coffin of my assertion that Jean-Pierre Jeunet had one great idea (<i>Amelie</i>), and everything else is just a convoluted mess.
Dominique Pinon and Marie-Laure Dougnac are quite sweet and charming as the handyman who came to dinner and the gal who loves him. Their cello and saw-playing are mesmerizing, but that was the only music I enjoyed in the movie. The sound of knives sharpening really grinds my gears, and the sex symphony doesn't have nearly as many rhythms and sounds as this one crazy sequence in "Scrubs." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzmHEU5866I
Also, as with <i>Micmacs</i>, there seems to be a hint of dystopian satire, but it gets lost in too many characters and too many quirks.

Fernando Rafael Quintero Castañeda

Set in a foggy, devastated, livestock-lacking town, DELICATESSEN is a delectable dark comedy by the incredible minds of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. The… MoreSet in a foggy, devastated, livestock-lacking town, DELICATESSEN is a delectable dark comedy by the incredible minds of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. The creative team behind DELICATESSEN make up for a somewhat weak plot with impressive character development and visual perfection.
Dominique Pinon stands out among the impressive cast, but the real reason to watch this film is because it's a feast for the eyes. Cinematography, lighting, direction, costumes and performances are all stupendous.

Kylie B

I know it's a good film both in terms of technical style and it's originality, but for me it's a film I'd only ever watch once. I did like… MoreI know it's a good film both in terms of technical style and it's originality, but for me it's a film I'd only ever watch once. I did like the frog and snail man though.